the cape winelands

escape city action for a tranquil 2 to 4 night stay in the cape country winelands
travel an inland mosaic of wine estates linked by scenic mountain passes
expect the occasional wild flower display (aug-sep) along the way
we suggest car hire on well-kept, tarred freeways and roads
art & craft, fresh produce, country stores & restaurants
find a small-town butcher and do it - try our biltong
experience the size of the sky in the klein karoo
jul - nov whale watching season in hermanus
wine, race horses and roses in robertson
the valley of haute cuisine, franschhoek
fine wines & students - stellenbosch
all villages link by max 2hour drive
do 2-4 nights and chill right out
shorter drive vs garden route
and eco-scenically spoken
you'll walk away enriched

where to stay

so, after a few days of cape town city life, collect a rental car and drive 1hour into the cape winelands
we love the valley of franschhoek filled with gourmet restaurants and gracious wine estates

maison chablis b&b guest house, franschhoek

elegant georgian guest house set a 3minute walk from the buzzy main road 7 spacious aircon suites with private bathrooms, mini bar, tea/coffee and tv sparkling pool in private garden setting, enjoy space & fresh mountain air stroll around the area for quaint little streets and fabulous architecture rates until apr12 R1050 single per night in luxury room b&b R1300 2adults per night in luxury room b&b R1500 2adults per night in superior room b&b may-sep12 R  895 single per night in luxury room b&b R1210 2adults per night in luxury room b&b R1380 2adults per night in superior room b&b

enjoyed the easy walks to restaurants.... and loved the quaint cottage architecture along the way
Amy, Cape Town SA

and if time allows, a great overnight on the drive from the garden route to the winelands
situated between swellendam and ashton - a 2hour drive from cape town

jan harmsgat b&b guest farm, swellendam/ashton

historic working dairy farm situated below a vast and scenic mountain range 4 standard guest house rooms and 6 luxury rooms with private entrances space, charm, comfort and the splendour of an authentic country ambience swimming pool set in established garden - dry stone walls and lavender rates until apr12 R1140 single per night in standard room b&b R1900 2adults per night in standard room b&b R2160 2adults per night in luxury room b&b may-sep12 R  780 single per night in standard room b&b R1300 2adults per night in standard room b&b R1500 2adults per night in luxury room b&b

getting around the cape winelands

book a guided wine tasting day tour from cape town into the winelands - monday to saturday
or, rent a car in cape town, do an easy 1hour drive to franschhoek and stay 2-3nights
treat yourself to a country lunch at one of many restaurants along the way

what to do and see in the winelands

far too many wonderful wine estates to mention here but, listed below,
some great ideas of what to do and see around the cape winelands:

franschhoek valley
franschhoek is known as 'the valley of gourmet food and award winning wines'
stroll along the village main road with restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries
memorable dining at the award winning Le Quartier Francaise
drive up the winding franschhoek pass for panoramic valley views
lunch or dine at Grande Provence - gardens, fine cuisine, great service
Dieu Donne restaurant - outside terrace with panoramic valley views
Glenwood Estate - small intimate winery - off the beaten track
Boschendal between franschhoek & stellenbosch - geared for tourists

stellenbosch
Oom Samie Se Winkel, 84 Dorp Str for candy, chandeliers, furniture, art & dried fruits... in the foyer
we like Morgenhof and arriving down the Neethlingshof driveway (pic above) is rather memorable
Spier Estate offers a cheetah project, eagle encounters and a variety of great restaurants
some local favourites to sample: if red wine is your thing, do try Meerlust Rubicon Red
we also love Simonsberg camembert, fig preserve and home made brown bread...

paarl
Fairview or Rhebokskloof - great lunches in tranquil farm setting

somerset west
Vergelegen - memorable forest picnics

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